Despite Ohio's Tough Economy, Governor Has Plan for Schools

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland is drawing a warm initial response to his proposed overhaul of the state’s public education system, including a revamped school funding formula, a higher bar for teacher tenure, and replacing the high school exit exam with the act college-entrance test.

The governor outlined his plan in his annual address to lawmakers Jan. 28, saying he would push for major changes to K-12 education despite the fact that the state needs to balance a $50 billion budget that faces a $7 billion deficit.

“We’re going to pay for it by making the decisions and setting the priorities so that education will get the kind of attention and infusions that it needs,” Gov. Strickland, a Democrat, said in a phone...